So what's the big deal with leather upholstery? Leather has been a valued commodity all through history. Ownership of fine leather upholstery was once an exclusive privilege of the affluent but today it can be found in just about every home. Today's leathers also make a fashionable statement at a price tag that's within reach of almost anyone in search of a new seat in front of their favorite big screen LCD TV. It has properties that make it superior to other upholstery materials. The durability of leather upholstery, easy of maintenance, and eco-friendly traits are in step today by leather's unabashed beauty. Perfect for cuddling up in a living room, leather sofas the added rewards of being more resistant to those pesky spilled drinks or popcorn butter than fabric. Whether on reclining sofas or stationary sofas, leather upholstery also offers that opulent look like no fabric can.

Leather Terminology

Pigment
Pigment is a protective finish consisting of fine particles that coat the grain very consistently. This type of finish is opaque in color and somewhat conceals the grain pattern. It's a durable finish that features excellent resistance to stains, fading, and wear.

Semi-Aniline
Semi-aniline leathers are a combination of pigment and aniline. The leather is first aniline stained or dyed then it's faintly pigmented but not as much to mask the natural distinctiveness of the hide. This combination enhances the consistency in color as well as soil resistance.

Aniline
Aniline is a transparent natural stain that hasn't received any pigmented finish. It colors the hide but it doesn't completely coat it. It's less stain resistant than pigmented leather or semi-aniline leather but it leaves the hide softer and more flexible.

Top Grain
Top grain leather is the very top leather of a hide and is considered the best quality leather as well as the most durable leather. It's basically the top grain where nothing has been removed from the hide except the hair and associated epidermis.

Split
The leather is split into 2 or more layers. The very top layer is called top grain and the other layer or layers are called splits. Splits are the fleshy pieces of the hide. Split leather is not as durable as the top grain leather. Split leather also has a tendency to crack more easily and it feel much stiffer than the top grain. Hence it's sometimes used on the outside pieces of furniture.

Corrected Grain
Corrected grain leathers have an embossed grain that is rolled or stamped under pressure. The result is a uniform grain throughout the hide. The advantage of corrected grain is that the natural markings like scars of the hide are removed.

Leather-Match
Leather-match is a term used when a combination of leather and vinyl is used on a piece of furniture. Basically, the actual leather is used on the parts where you sit and the perfectly matched vinyl is used elsewhere, back and sides. This type of leather furniture falls in the lower price bracket.

Protected
Protected leathers are more heavily pigmented than semi-aniline leather and contain special chemicals that protect against most liquid spills and food.

History of Leather

Our early ancestors discovered that tanning leather, a process which permanently changes the protein composition of the skin so that it can not return to rawhide, preserved the skin. Otherwise, the skin would quickly decay or decompose. Originally, these tanned hides from animals that were successfully hunted down were used to protect the feet, hands, and bodies of our early ancestors.

During the Middle Ages leather started being used as upholstery and it would serve as a status symbol only found in the homes of elitists. However, during the late 19th century leather upholstery was introduced into the homes of lower and middle classes. It was no longer an exclusive privilege of the rich.